Published : 27 Sep 2026, 08:09 PM
Updated : 27 Sep 2026, 08:09 PM
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has pushed back against criticism of the raid on the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JaSaD office in Dhaka’s Gulistan, saying it was not intended to “harass” anyone.
The minister said the raid followed information that some members of the banned Awami League had gathered there to plan sabotage.
Most of those detained have since been released, he said at a press conference at the home ministry on Sunday.
Police detained people from the JaSaD office, led by Hasanul Haq Inu, who was convicted in a crimes-against-humanity case, on Saturday afternoon.
Several prison vans took handcuffed detainees to Paltan Police Station. Police also said they had information that Awami League activists had gathered there.
Of about 280 people detained for questioning, most have been released and 27 remain in custody, the minister said.
“If forensic tests of the recovered mobile phones and necessary inquiries establish their involvement in sabotage, legal action and cases will be filed.”
JaSaD’s activities are not banned, although the Awami League and its affiliated organisations are prohibited.
JaSaD said its representative meeting had been organised after notifying police and obtaining written permission.
Its Office Secretary Sajjad Hossain alleged BNP and Jubo Dal activists attacked the meeting.
On the Radda MCH-FP Centre demolition in Mirpur, Salahuddin said there was preliminary evidence of police inaction and negligence.
The Shah Ali police chief was immediately withdrawn after the Sept 25 incident and a departmental case filed, he said.
Police have arrested nine suspects and recovered evidence and property.
On content creator Salman Muqtadir’s studio attack, the minister said police arrested three people after a 999 call and recovered local weapons and bullet casings.
He said the incident stemmed from a land dispute and urged Salman to file a written complaint over his allegations of extortion.
Salahuddin said criminality would not be tolerated in the police force, adding that officials involved in offences would face departmental and criminal proceedings, not merely transfers.
